Sophistication in Dissonance
For those familiar with the work of Shigeru Ishihara aka DJ Scotch Egg, expectations probably resonate in the direction of insane 8-bit-drenched hardcore techno. His weapon of choice? None other than the nostalgic grey brick of the Nintendo Gameboy. For his latest project, he ditches his chirpy chiptune shenanigans, delivers Mario a swift kick to the koopas and heads straight for the distortion module. This time round however he's brought some friends with him, friends who are equally intent on creating as much aural carnage as humanly possible, in the form of Gorgonn from London experimentalists Dokkebi Q and Bo Ningen's versatile vocal merchant Taigen Kawabe.
Inaugural number Bakan Q is a perfect introduction to the world of Devilman, wandering and weaving between Kawabe's schizophrenic vocal screams, head-nodding distorted beats and raw urban soundscapes. Elsewhere, the music is shifted in a number of directions, from down-tempo witching-hour-wanderings to face-melting distorted chaos. The Dub numbers are creeping, predatory city scavengers, occupying only the darkest, dankest corners of the night. When the unstoppable Noise Step enters the foray, you best hope the area you find yourself in is earthquake-proof. It begins with thirty seconds of modem-style white noise, and then the leviathan is let loose. Gorgonn's distorted drum programming creates an utterly monstrous sound; with large enough speakers this beast is going to level buildings.
Kawabe's insane vocals on the plodding electro-dirge of 93 makes for a chaotic ride, especially when dropped into a melting pot of distorted bass and hypnotising melody. Ending with the corrosive Last Black Emperor, the four minutes of white noise drones serve as a reminder that absolutely no punches have been pulled with this project. The press release calls Devilman, "The soundtrack of a world being turned inside out". An accurate conveyance, undoubtedly catalysed by thoughts of standing in the centre of a bustling Tokyo metropolis whilst this cyclopean implosion is occurring. What the trio have created here is a barely controllable behemoth, all-encompassing yet all the while emanating an aura of urban sophistication. The artwork conveys the feel of the album perfectly; a giant brain floating above a city, itself comprised of buildings and industrial landscapes, emanating inescapable sound waves.
As listenable as it is visceral, this is bass-heavy electronic rebellion for people who like their beats hard, their music caustic and their senses overloaded. Devilman is the sound of a city after dark, when the real urban wildlife comes out to play. With only 500 numbered CDs being released directly from Small But Hard Recordings, you'll want to pick this up pronto. I'd check with the neighbours first though.